Lt. Col. (Ret) James W. Raible was born on August 14, 1933, in Prairie View, Arkansas, to the late Alois L. and Anna Marie (Kremers) Raible, and departed this life on April 1, 2024, in Charleston, Arkansas. He was 90 years old. He was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years, Carolyn Mary (Moffett) Raible; one son, Robert Lawrence Raible; and two brothers, Wilford Raible and Robert Raible.

Upon graduation from Charleston High School in 1951, James enrolled at the University of Arkansas and received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1955 and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army. Over the course of a 20 years military career he was assigned 14 different duty stations including Korea, Panama and two tours in Vietnam. James was certified in 6 different fixed wing aircraft and 5 different helicopters. in October of 1960, James was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism while participating in aerial flight in Hawaii. In 1967, James was awarded three Bronze Star Medals for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam. A fourth Bronze Star was awarded during his second Vietnam tour in 1971. Upon military retirement in 1975, James returned to Charleston and spent 20 years as a rural letter carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. He was a huge supporter of the Charleston Tigers and was an avid Arkansas Razorback fan. James was a member of Knights of Columbus and Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Charleston.

Rosary service will be held at 6:00 p.m., Friday, April 5th at Brotherton Funeral Home Chapel in Charleston, with Father Norman McFall officiating. The family will visit with friends following the service.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 6th at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Charleston, with Father Norman McFall officiating. Burial, (With Full Military Honors), will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery in Charleston, under the direction of Brotherton Brothers Funeral Home and Flower Shop in Charleston.

He is survived by one son, Glen Raible and wife Cindy of North Little Rock, two daughters, Susan Brown and husband Charles of Little Rock and Sarah Griffith and husband Scott of Fort Smith; a daughter-in-law, Pam Raible of Springdale; one sister, Mildred Parker and husband Tommy of Charleston; eight grandchildren, Kendrick Raible, Lindsey Fairchild, David Raible, Jennifer Kaley, Erin Adams, Chris Brown, Matthew McKnight and Samuel McKnight; and seven great-grandchildren, Caleb, Cora, Benjamin, James, Landon, Liam, and Claire.

Pallbearers are Kendrick Raible, David Raible, Matt McKnight, Sam McKnight, Chris Brown, Sean Kaley, Lance Fairchild, and Caleb Raible.

To place an online tribute, please visit www.brothertonbrothersfuneralhomes.com.